Abstract: An eight track tape alignment instrument for selective application to and use between the tape cartridge receiving cavity and the tape cartridge of conventional magnetic tape players so as to wedgingly apply uniform pressure between the cartridge wheel and the capstan and cause travel of the magnetic tape past and proper alignment thereof relative to the decoding and electronic sound converting head to prevent slow and non-uniform travel or malfunctioning of the tape and misalignment of the latter relative to the head creating crosstalk problems and thereby insuring of quality reproduction through the speakers. The instrument is preferably plastic, and is small, light, relatively short and narrow, and wedge-shaped so as to be grasped between the index finger and thumb and the tapered end thereof selectively inserted between the front face of the cartridge and the walls of its cavity and pushed inwardly to correct any misalignment between the cartridge wheel and capston.

Abstract: A device for encasing coins in protective envelopes embodying a generally rectangularly contoured housing elevated at one end and stepped down intermediate its ends to provide a flat work surface offsetedly spaced below the elevated end, with insulation flatly superposed on the work surface thereof and heating coils embedded therein and encircling a centrally disposed coin receiving area. A generally rectangular forming member pivotally mounted to the elevated housing end and overlying and elevatable relative to the work surface.

Abstract: A portable hand carried kit for a set of wrenches or similar small tools including a hollow elongated case having a hinged cover. A nest of varying sized and shaped wrenches and the like are housed in parallel relation within and pivotally mounted on a pin extending transversely of and approximately midway of the case and wherein one end of the case and its cover has at least a two-stepped opening therein, whereby a selected tool may be pivotally moved to project through its aligned stepped opening and is supported and clamped therein when the cover is closed and secured to the case so that the latter functions as a handle for the tool during use thereof.

Abstract: A tire changing apparatus for installing on and/or removing heavy duty tires of the truck type from their split rims including a vertically and horizontally extending boom rotatably mounted on an upright stand for swinging movement about a vertical axis and having a downwardly depending post for fixedly locking the boom directly above the stand. The boom has a centrally disposed air cylinder thereon with a depending piston rod carrying a cage-like circular ram. When the boom with ram and lockable post are swung arcuately away from overhead aligned position relative to the stand, a tire with split rim is horizontally positionable on a center stand pedestal and the boom is returned to its normal overhead position and relocked. Hydraulic or pneumatic actuation of the cylinder piston moves the ram downwardly against and to free the tire casing relative to its split rim permitting prying removal of the rim from the tire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for debittering soybeans and the like to destroy and extract the bitter taste therefrom caused by enzymes lying next to the bean surface directly beneath the skin. Soybeans are loaded into open baskets with foraminous bottoms suspended from links on a chain conveyor successively and intermittently indexed by ratchet driven sprockets through three zones of a processing tank having an exhaust hood. Water preheated to approximately 198.degree. F. flows through the tank and each zone thereof has a steam manifold therein whereby steam is injected into the first zone to raise the water temperature to approximately 214.degree. F. and bubble and agitate the water and the beans loaded in the baskets immersed therein to expand the skins and explode the jackets to release the volatile gases therefrom.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure attachable to a line for bass fishing and the like having a curved barbed hook on one end for insertion in an elongated plastic worm, with the opposite end of the hook shank being coiled for sleevably receiving and retaining a reversely mounted hula skirt thereon. A flexible coiled spring is swivelly connected to the lure shank adjacent the hula skirt and is threadedly embedded in an end of and securely retains the worm on the lure when struck by a bass.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible A-frame prop type scaffold including pairs of spaced apart L-shaped metal angle A-frame supporting legs pivotally connected at their upper points of juncture and having scaffold plank supporting angle brackets pivoted to the upper ends thereof and extendable at right angles thereto, with foldable and interconnectable bars spanning and pivoted to and spreading the legs apart, and locking support angle braces pivoted to the outer ends of the supporting angle brackets and extending angularly downwardly therefrom, with transverse angle bars on the lower ends thereof engageable with the foldable bars.

Abstract: A log splitting attachment including an elongated V-shaped channel frame for accommodating and immovably supporting various sized logs thereon between a slidably adjustable splitting wedge and knife and an adjustable butt plate of a hydraulic cylinder. The frame is projectable from and is removably attached to the drawbar of a tractor with a hydraulic system and is so supported thereby in a position parallel to and resting on the ground, and the cylinder is removably connectable to the hydraulic system whereby actuation of an accessible control on the frame slidably actuates the cylinder piston and butt plate relative to a splitting wedge adjustably mounted thereon to effect splitting.

Abstract: A unitary molded plastic bee frame including a molded plastic honeycomb foundation, and wherein integral ears are formed on and project laterally from opposing upper ends of the frame bars, with the ears having thin top and end walls, a thickened midrib extending endwise thereof, and a thickened lower wall projecting through the end frame bars acting as a brace and reinforcement for the ears. An angled brace projecting between the lower and upper ear walls additionally strengthens the ears so they will support the frames in a super to prevent detachment thereof and dislodgement of the frames. The lower ends of the frame end bars are reduced in width by notching to enable vertical alternate stacking in cartons to increase the number of frames per carton and decrease the weight thereof.

Abstract: Picture frame having a fire resistant backing and being hollow to provide a storage compartment for fire extinguishing medium with a valve controlled nozzle projectable rearwardly thereof whereby in the event of fire the user may face the flames with the frame held in front as a protective shield and actuate the valve to direct extinguishing medium thereat.

Abstract: A forced air heating fireplace unit for arrangement in a framed-in opening provided for a fireplace during the erection of a building and including a generally rectangular metal firebox spacedly encased within a metal housing connected at its upper end to a chimney flue. A vertically disposed air inlet pipe enters the flue above the unit and extends downwardly of the rear thereof and introduces air into an air distribution chamber at the lower end thereof from which air is circulated forwardly and upwardly through a series of spaced pipes into the bottom of the firebox below a grate therein so that air within the firebox is heated from the grate and exits upwardly through the main heat duct and chimney flue.

Abstract: A portable collapsible vehicle roof mounted sleeping compartment including a plastic housing with front and side walls, open rear, and a hinged top mounted on spaced rails clamped to a rack removably attached to the vehicle roof. Slidably telescoping within the open rear of the housing is a drawer-like section having a rigid bottom and top wall expandably interconneced thereto by flexible windowed side walls, flexible rear curtain, and a hinged rear wall. Telescoping sections in said rails are longitudinally extendable with telescoping legs hinged to the ends thereof for ground engagement to support the drawer-like section relative to the vehicle roof when extended, with the latter supporting the hinged top in angular elevated position, and entry being gained through the lowered hinged rear wall.

Abstract: A releasable fishing float for use in ice fishing including a cork body tapered downwardly from an enlarged upper end to a reduced lower end to provide a generally buoyant pear-shaped body. The upper end is internally tapered and a longitudinal bore extends therethrough to receive the fishing line. A coil spring is attached parallel to the top upper edge so that the line may be wedged between the coils thereof to retain the line thereat and the float at a suitable distance below the ice surface. When a fish takes the hook on the lower end of the line and the hook is set, the line becomes unclipped from the coil spring and slides freely through the cork and the latter is out of the way during reeling of the line and fish. The submerged cork offers no resistance to the fish and signals the smallest bite.

Abstract: A collapsible tube holding bracket for retaining a tube vertically relative to a wall surface including a flat supporting plate adjustably and removably adhered to a wall surface and having a spring pressed clip for clamping the inverted lower end of a tube so that it depends therealong. An L-shaped apertured bracket is adjustably spacedly supported on the plate below the clip and receives the reduced dispensing tube neck therein to retain the tube vertically on and in engagement with the plate and enables the closure cap to be arranged thereon. With the cap removed and a brush disposed therebeneath, the application of hand pressure against the tube forces it against the plate and squeezes paste onto the brush.

Abstract: A no-fume riser neck for use in molding the connecting neck between the riser cavity and general mold cavity in the production of metal castings. The neck is generally cup-shaped and preformed of sheet metal with a closed and substantially sealed upper end and an open flared and grooved lower end which is positioned open-end down on the face of a foundry pattern so that the sealed upper end is gas tight and separates the open riser cavity from the mold cavity and prevents extraneous material from entering and contaminating the mold cavity, and also prevents the unrestricted escape of objectionable gases and fumes from the mold cavity to the environment during the pouring cycle.

Abstract: A method for preparing corn powder in which corn is picked approximately 30 days before becoming field dried, cut from the cob, heated until dried, air blown to separate light particle residue created during heating, and ground to a consistency between that of commercially available coarse cornmeal and fine corn powder.